Guiding Principles for College/Unit Progress Indicator Development
The progress indicators selected should include qualitative and quantitative indictors of progress and achievement that align to the strategic goals identified by your college/unit.
The progress indicators should be results-focused and limited in number. At the same time, they should provide a balanced picture of the context within which the execution of the strategic plan occurs.
The identification of progress indicators is not meant to replace, but rather complement, more detailed management reporting that may be required to support the operational execution of the college/unit.
The determination of whether an individual indictor is appropriate should be judged based on the following criteria:
- Understandable: Can the performance measure be easily and clearly communicated?
- Controllable: Can the results be controlled or significantly influenced under a designated span of control?
- Actionable: Can action be taken to improve performance?
- Credible: Is the measure resistant to manipulation?
- Measurable: Can the measure be quantified?
- Cost effective to access: Can the data to support the measure be accessed cost effectively?
- Aligned with objectives: Is the measure aligned with an objective?
- Integrated: Can the measure be linked both down and across the organization?
- Key value drivers: Can the measure be associated with the major drivers of performance?